"New" Tolkien Epic Hitting the Shelves

Share.

Move over, Aragorn -- there's a new king in town.

By Max Nicholson

He may be known for his vast fantasy world of hobbits, dragons and orcs, but there was a time when J.R.R. Tolkien had ventured a little closer to home. And while his Lord of the Rings trilogy detailed the adventures of Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn, the author's previously unpublished work set in ancient Britain centered on King Arthur.

Earlier this week, HarperCollins announced that Tolkien's never-before-seen poem The Fall of Arthur will be released for the first time this May. Featuring over 200 pages, the story depicts the final days of Arthur's reign, as the old king attempts to save his country from Mordred the usurper, opening as Arthur and Gawain go to war.

Tolkien began writing the book a few years before he wrote The Hobbit. For editor Chris Smith, the news that Tolkien's Arthurian epic had been completed was a bit of a surprise. "Though its title had been known from Humphrey Carpenter's Biography and J.R.R. Tolkien's own letters, we never supposed that it would see the light of day," Smith told The Guardian.

He continued, "[The Fall of Arthur] breathes new life into one of our greatest heroes, liberating him from the clutches of Malory's romantic treatment, and revealing Arthur as a complex, all-too human individual who must rise above the greatest of betrayals to liberate his beloved kingdom.

"Though Tolkien's use of alliterative verse will mean the poem is of more specialized interest than his other work, we would like to think that the subject of King Arthur is one that will resonate with readers of his more celebrated works."

Tolkien's son Christopher Tolkien has edited the story for publication and provided commentary.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love by following @Max_Nicholson on Twitter, or MaxNicholson on IGN.